China will buy more U.S. oil because it is a natural trade partner, says Energy Secretary Wright
China relies heavily on crude oil imports from the Middle East but those supplies are mostly cut off due to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump went big on tech stocks in first quarter of 2026, new filings show
President Trump bought shares of Amazon, Meta, Oracle, Broadcom, Motorola and Dell worth millions, new ethics disclosure filings show.
Trump told Xi ‘I don't talk about’ whether U.S. would defend Taiwan from China
President Donald Trump spoke about Taiwan after a two-day visit to China, where he said he discussed Iran, and trade deals with Chinese President Xi Jingping.
Bristol Myers Squibb turns to China to develop new drugs in newest cross-continent collaboration
U.S. drugmaker Bristol Myers Squibb inked a partnership with a Chinese company that some say could mark the next wave of collaboration across continents.
Pound heads for worst week in 18 months as Burnham lines up Labour bid
UK government borrowing costs jump amid political uncertainty and oil price rise that fuelled inflation worriesBusiness live – latest updatesThe pound was heading for its worst week in 18 months on Friday as City traders anticipated that the UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, could face a challenge from the Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, later this year.After days of uncertainty over Starmer’s future, sterling dropped by about three cents, or 2.2%, during the week to $1.332 on Friday, a five-week low. That would be the largest weekly drop against the US dollar since Donald Trump’s election win in early November 2024. Continue reading...
European stocks close lower as inflation fears return; Starmer faces leadership challenge
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index finished Friday's session in negative territory.
Chinese EVs are coming to Canada, and some dealers can't wait to sell them
Canada is allowing 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles to be imported for retail sales annually at a tariff rate of 6.1%.
Magnum Ice Cream stock soars after report of potential private equity takeover
It comes just six months after Magnum spun off from Unilever to create the world's largest standalone ice cream maker.
FTSE 100-listed insurer Hiscox’s shares leap amid report of takeover bid
Canada’s Intact Financial Corp is said to be exploring offer, as London-listed Tate & Lyle attracts US suitorShares in Hiscox surged to record highs on Friday as it became the latest UK takeover target after a flurry of overseas bids for British businesses this week.Canada’s Intact Financial Corp, which provides property and casualty insurance, is said to be exploring a potential takeover of Lloyd’s of London insurer Hiscox, according to a report by the Insurance Post. Continue reading...
Trump and Xi conclude 'very successful' talks but no deals confirmed
There were plenty of choreographed ceremonies but no trade breakthroughs after the two-day visit.
Beckhams become billionaires as Oasis make rich list for first time
The list is based off the paper's estimates of the minimum wealth of Britain’s 350 richest people or families.
How China and U.S. eased the Middle East oil shock and kept prices from spiking even higher
China and the U.S., the world's two largest economies, wield great influence over the oil market and are using it to help plug the supply gap.
Watch: What was argued at the Musk-Altman trial?
It's the jury's turn to deliberate in the showdown over OpenAI that has pitted two of the biggest names in tech against each other.
Oil prices jump after Trump says he is losing patience with Iran
Oil prices rose Friday on news that China has agreed to purchase oil from America.
Heathrow rival could lead expansion, watchdog says
The aviation watchdog is considering new rules for Heathrow ahead of its possible expansion.
Cerebras stock falls 10% after blockbuster IPO debut — here's what's happening
Cerebras Systems' shares were lower in early trading Friday, after its blockbuster stock market debut on Thursday.
Key points from the Donald Trump-Xi Jinping summit – video analysis
After a much-hyped US-China summit, the leaders of the world’s two biggest powers made no real breakthroughs on big issues, such as Iran, Taiwan and trade. The Guardian's senior China correspondent, Amy Hawkins, breaks down how Donald Trump and Xi Jinping focused on growing their personal rapport insteadTrump leaves China without breakthroughs on Iran, Taiwan or AI Continue reading...
What was actually achieved at Trump and Xi’s ‘stalemate summit’ in Beijing?
US president has said he and Chinese leader ‘settled a lot of different problems’ but has given little detail on solutionsTrump China visit live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s whirlwind trip to Beijing – the first US presidential visit in nearly a decade – wrapped up with much fanfare but little clarity about what was actually achieved.Trump said on Friday he and Xi Jinping, China’s leader, “settled a lot of different problems that other people wouldn’t have been able to solve”. But he didn’t provide much detail on what those solutions were. Continue reading...
UK borrowing costs rise and pound falls as leadership drama continues
Analysts say the moves have been fuelled by concerns a Burnham-led government would increase government borrowing.
Why Britain’s potential next PM is putting investors on edge
Traders fear a new left-leaning U.K. government led by Andy Burnham would challenge the country's fiscal discipline.
The Tech Download: Trump’s China visit sparks fresh questions over chip exports and rare earths access
China President Xi welcomed deeper commercial engagement from the U.S., but uncertainty still hangs over American access to rare earths and chip sales.
X pledges quicker action on hate and terror content in the UK
Ofcom said the commitments were of particular importance after recent crimes targeting Jewish communities in the UK.
From Team Reeves to Manchesterism: Labour’s four economic camps explained
Wes Streeting or Andy Burnham could launch a leadership bid – here are policies from which they could chooseWes Streeting may not have launched a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer, but he has called for a “battle of ideas” about the government’s future direction.When it comes to economic policy, there are (at least) four overlapping Labour camps, which have recently generated a flurry of policies from which the leadership contenders could choose. Here we run through the main ideas behind each camp. Continue reading...
Trump leaves China without breakthroughs on Iran, Taiwan or AI
US president hails ‘fantastic’ deals, but details remain scarce after pageantry and little progress at much-hyped summit with XiTrump in China – latest updatesDonald Trump left China on Friday after a much-hyped summit of the world’s two major powers that was rich in pageantry and promises of stability, but offered little by way of tangible progress.The US president had gone into the two-day talks with China’s Xi Jinping weakened by his prolonged war in Iran, and did little to change the perception that he and his nation are diminished on the global stage. Continue reading...
British Gas faces record £112m settlement over prepayment meter scandal
Redress to customers for force-fitting devices in homes includes £20m penalty and £70m of debt write-offsThousands of British Gas customers who had prepayment meters force-fitted in their homes will between them receive compensation and energy bill debt write-offs worth up to £112m in the biggest energy supplier settlement on record.Great Britain’s energy regulator found that British Gas forced PPMs on homes that were not keeping up with their bills at the height of the Russian gas crisis, in one of the most complex investigations in Ofgem’s history. Continue reading...
X to block UK access to accounts linked to terrorist groups in Ofcom agreement
Media regulator announces commitments by Elon Musk’s platform to crack down on terrorist and hate contentElon Musk’s X platform has promised to block UK access to accounts linked to banned terrorist groups under an agreement with the communications regulator to crack down on terrorist and hate content.X will also review suspected illegal terrorist and hate content within 48 hours and seek expert advice on how to handle user reports of such content. Continue reading...
Tesco boss’s pay rises by more than £1m to £10.8m after market share surge
Ken Murphy’s pay could rise even higher following scrapping of food waste target and weakness of rivalsBusiness live – latest updatesThe boss of Tesco made £10.8m last year, about £1m more than the year before, as the UK’s biggest supermarket hit its highest share of the market in a decade.Ken Murphy could make even more this year after being handed a 3% rise in basic pay to £1.54m and cutting food waste was scrapped as a target for his long-term bonus, according to Tesco’s annual report. Continue reading...
Childminder numbers are falling in England – how have you been affected?
As more childminders are quitting the profession amid concerns over costs, we’d like to hear why and from parents who’ve been affectedThe number of childminders in England has roughly halved over the past decade, with many citing rising costs, low pay and increasing paperwork as reasons for leaving the profession. Childcare organisations have also warned that upcoming tax changes could push more childminders out of the sector.Campaigners say the decline is making it harder for families to find flexible and affordable childcare, particularly in areas already struggling with shortages. Continue reading...
Trump-Xi summit: The 3 big takeaways from historic meeting in Beijing
The two-day meeting wrapped up Friday, setting the tone for further U.S.-China talks this year.
Trump asks if Xi brings other presidents to exclusive compound during private tour – video
The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, gave the US president, Donald Trump, a tour of Beijing’s walled-off Zhongnanhai compound in the concluding hours of their summit on Friday. Among the notable ancient trees Xi showed Trump was the 'Lianli Bai', two cypress trees whose trunks have grown together. A hot mic captured the leaders' remarks, in which Trump asked Xi if other foreign leaders were also received in the compound. 'Very rarely,' Xi responded. Continue reading...
‘I didn’t want to be the guinea pig’: inside tech’s AI-fueled manager purge
Tech workers say AI-driven restructurings are eroding mentorship, support and paths to promotion across Silicon ValleyAs tech companies pour billions into artificial intelligence bets and slash their workforces, middle managers are squarely in the crosshairs.A trend is emerging: when tech CEOs announce that AI is making it possible to do more with fewer workers, they promise to flatten their structures by cutting away what they call unnecessary management layers and bureaucracy. Just last week, the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase laid off 14% of its workforce while gesturing to the thrill of AI-fueled, minimal-management efficiency. In doing so, it joined companies including Amazon, Block and Meta that in the last year have laid off tens of thousands of employees with a specific focus on removing management layers. Continue reading...
UAE to complete second oil pipeline bypassing strait of Hormuz by 2027
State oil company fast-tracks previously undisclosed project, which is expected to double export capacityBusiness live – latest updatesThe United Arab Emirates has announced it will complete a new oil pipeline bypassing the strait of Hormuz by next year to secure its future crude exports against the threat of disruption.The current blockade of the vital waterway, through which 20% of oil and seaborne gas flowed before the Iran war, is approaching the 11-week mark, sending energy prices soaring around the world and throttling Gulf economies. Continue reading...
British Gas pays £20m over prepayment meter force-fitting scandal
The regulator say the energy supplier breached licence conditions aimed at protecting customers in vulnerable situations.
The Federal Reserve’s independence is hanging by a thread in the age of Trump
The president’s ultimate goal is to push the Fed – among other independent US institutions – to bend to his willJerome Powell, who stepped down this week as chair of the Federal Reserve, had his hits and misses. The Fed was late to react as prices started rising when the Covid pandemic abated, but they eventually acted forcefully and achieved the most rare of feats: a “soft landing”, curbing inflation without sparking a recession or damaging employment.Strangely, given the chaotic era of pandemic and tariffs that coincided with Powell’s time as chair, monetary policy may not define his legacy. Powell’s most lasting accomplishment will most likely be his outspoken efforts to defend the independence of the Fed from an assault by the imperial presidency of Donald Trump. Continue reading...
Bonds, stocks and precious metals slump as inflation fears mount, silver falls 7%
Mounting inflation fears, geopolitical tension and ongoing uncertainty around the Iran war has prompted selling pressure across asset classes.
Ban private jets and cut speed limits to avert UK fuel crisis, say campaigners
Climate and transport organisations warn ministers not to ‘sleepwalk into crisis’ amid Iran war oil and gas shortagesPrivate jets should be banned and the speed limit on UK motorways reduced to 60mph as part of a pre-emptive effort to ease the looming fuel supply crisis, according to leading climate and transport organisations.The group – including Greenpeace and Transport and Environment – are calling on ministers not to “sleepwalk into a crisis” that could lead to severe shortages of jet fuel and spiralling petrol prices at the pump in the coming months. Continue reading...
Hopes grow that London Underground strikes could be called off
Tube stoppages due on two 24-hour periods next week but sources say RMT seeking talksBusiness live – latest updatesHopes have been raised that next week’s strikes by London Underground drivers could yet be averted, after sources said the RMT union had put out feelers for talks.The RMT members, almost half of London’s tube drivers, are due to strike for two 24-hour periods from midday on Tuesday and Thursday, closing some lines entirely and bringing widespread travel disruption to the capital until the weekend. Continue reading...
UAE fast tracks second West-East oil pipeline to bypass Strait of Hormuz
The second pipeline project comes as global energy supplies remain under pressure and flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain severely limited
Heathrow could be forced to allow other firms to build third runway to cut costs
Under aviation regulator proposals rival companies would bid to design and build parts of airport expansionBusiness live – latest updatesHeathrow could be forced to allow other companies to design and build its third runway and new terminal after the UK aviation regulator argued that rival bids could keep construction costs down.A long-awaited review by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) proposes changes to the regulatory model that governs how Heathrow runs and covers its costs. Continue reading...
From phishing to porn star impersonators: how scamming athletes became a billion-dollar industry
Athletes have always been targets for criminals hoping to profit from their wealth. But a new wave of dangers has cropped up in recent yearsWith exorbitant ticket, travel and hotel prices making fans desperate to find an affordable way of attending this summer’s World Cup, it’s no surprise that security firms and law enforcement agencies are warning that fans are at significant risk of becoming fraud victims.While major tournaments are moments of heightened vulnerability for supporters, players themselves are increasingly attractive year-round targets for cybercriminals who can use AI to mount ever more sophisticated attacks. Continue reading...
Christopher Harborne, tycoon who gave £5m to Farage, enters UK rich list at No 6
Crypto billionaire goes straight into top 10 on Sunday Times list, with Noel and Liam Gallagher among other first-timersBusiness live – latest updatesUK politics live – latest updatesChristopher Harborne, the crypto billionaire who controversially gifted Nigel Farage £5m, has been named in the list of the UK’s wealthiest people for the first time.Other first-timers include Noel and Liam Gallagher and Emily Eavis, the daughter of the Glastonbury festival founder, Michael Eavis, according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List published on Friday.Sanjay and Dheeraj Hinduja and family: £38bnDavid and Simon Reuben and family: £27.971bnLeonard Blavatnik: £26.852bnIdan Ofer: £24.481bnGuy, George, Alannah and Galen Weston and family: £18.939bnChristopher Harborne: £18.177bnNik Storonsky: £16.411bnAlex Gerko: £16.006bnJim Ratcliffe: £15.194bnIgor and Dmitry Bukhman: £14.26bn Continue reading...
South Korea’s Kospi retreats from record high to drop over 6% as heavyweight tech names sell-off
Asia-Pacific markets fell as investors tracked the second day of high-stakes talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
CIA chief makes historic trip to Cuba as US blockade chokes island's energy supplies
The U.S. has been restricting oil shipments to Cuba since January, plunging the country into blackouts lasting days at a time.
CNBC Daily Open: Trump’s China trip ends, but uncertainty remains
U.S. President Donald Trump wraps his trip to China, while political uncertainty grows in the U.K.
Trump leaves China after talks dominated by trade, oil and Taiwan
U.S. President Donald Trump traveled to China this week for two days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, after a year of heightened trade tensions.
India's Adanis agree to pay $18m to settle civil fraud case in the US
The US securities regulator had accused the Adanis of paying bribes and misleading investors, which they denied.
China to buy U.S. oil to feed its 'insatiable appetite,' Trump tells Fox News
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet Friday to close out a two-day summit that has featured pageantry and dealmaking.
Fears of ‘postal deserts’ as owner of former WH Smith stores puts counters under threat
Exclusive: Contract changes mean Post Office outlets inside TG Jones stores would be easier to close, with up to 60 possibly affectedThe owner of WH Smith’s former high street business is aiming to change contracts with the Post Office to make it easier to close outlets within its stores, increasing fears that communities will become “postal deserts”.TG Jones operates 180 post offices and it is understood that as many as 60 could be closed under a restructuring plan by Modella, the private equity group that renamed the WH Smith high street chain as TG Jones after buying it last year. Continue reading...
Art deco and modernist flats in England and Scotland for sale – in pictures
From a converted art deco hotel in Glasgow to a brutalist apartment in London’s Barbican Continue reading...
Singapore Airlines sticking with Air India for the "long game" despite losses
Air India has been a big drag on SIA's earnings, but the airline says its investment is part of the "long game"
Billionaire Gautam Adani and nephew agree to pay $18 million in SEC settlement over fraud allegations
Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani have agreed to settle a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit over allegations they misled investors.
'Not having a proper funeral left me with painful memories'
Ed Cullen says his mum had an unattended cremation which saved money but was "devastating" for him.
Claim, counter-claim and tech's seedy side exposed: Five things we learned in the Musk-Altman trial
As the jury deliberates, this is what we found out during the weeks-long trial with two tech titans at its heart.
US hotel owners expected a World Cup boom - so far it hasn't happened
An industry body survey found hotels in World Cup host cities see the tournament as a "non-event".
Marlboro maker accused of ‘exploiting’ young people with new global ad campaign
Philip Morris claimed it wanted to end cigarette sales, but experts and campaigners say new promotions seem designed to attract younger consumersAnti-tobacco campaigners have condemned a global advertising campaign for Marlboro by Philip Morris International (PMI), saying the company is being duplicitous in claiming it wants to end cigarette sales.The “I AM Marlboro” campaign – which experts on the tobacco industry said appeared designed to attract young people – includes billboards, TV ads and online content. Continue reading...
Jim Chalmers responds to the budget’s critics - podcast
The political editor, Tom McIlroy, and the economics editor, Patrick Commins, speak with Jim Chalmers about the criticisms that his ‘reforming’ and ‘ambitious’ budget, while historic, stands to benefit only a relatively small number of Australians.The treasurer also explains why the budget didn’t include an increase in tax for gas exports, and how this government is putting forward an economic strategy to address the anxieties that lead voters to turn to populism on the rightRead more: Continue reading...
Honda shares rise over 7% as investors shrug off first operating loss in nearly 70 years
Honda Motor rose over 7% on Friday, even after posting its first annual operating loss in nearly 70 years.
If Labour didn’t exist, would you invent it? Streeting, Rayner, Burnham – you need to tell us why
The party needs a leader who understands the difficulties facing ordinary people. I am yet to see anyone obviously equal to that challengeIf this were a poker game, Thursday lunchtime was the point when players were finally forced to show their cards. Was Wes Streeting holding all the aces, as his people relentlessly claimed, or a pair of fours and a lot of empty bluster? Did Andy Burnham even have any cards, if he couldn’t name an MP willing to surrender their seat for him? (At the 11th hour, Makerfield MP Josh Simons did the honours). Would Angela Rayner – late to the table, after scraping together £40,000 in accidentally underpaid stamp duty in order to play – scoop the jackpot by default? Or does the house, in the shape of a prime minister stubbornly refusing to budge, ultimately always win?But in the end Streeting simply kicked the table over, scattering poker chips in all directions. His resignation from cabinet, in a blistering statement that noticeably failed to confirm he had the numbers to trigger a formal contest, was a frustrated last attempt to break the stalemate by taking what he called “personalities” – including possibly his own – and “petty factionalism” out of a revolt against Keir Starmer in which both are surgically embedded. Since the outcome is unclear at the time of writing, for now let’s leave aside the issue of whether Starmer even has the authority to do a reshuffle and focus on one question: why does Britain need a Labour party in 2026?Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
EU carmakers pave way for Chinese rivals as balance in market shifts
Many European motoring manufacturers are in retreat with plants to off–load – while China’s industry is on the marchThe Chinese carmaker Xpeng is on the hunt for a factory in Europe. Volkswagen is aiming to reduce the number of its factories. It seems like it should have been the perfect set-up for a deal.Yet there was one problem with the plant on offer, according to Elvis Cheng, Xpeng’s managing director for north-eastern Europe: “It’s a little bit, I would say, old.” Continue reading...
CIA chief visits Cuba as energy crisis worsens
The reported visit to Havana came after the US renewed an offer of aid to ease the effects of its oil blockade.
China will order 200 Boeing jets, Trump tells Fox News
President Donald Trump told Fox News that China has agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets, according to a clip that aired Thursday.
Why Modi wants Indians to buy less gold and take fewer foreign holidays
Modi has urged Indians to save dollars as war and oil shocks strain the rupee and economy further this year.
Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding
It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.
AI could put people off tech jobs and hurt the economy, warns Raspberry Pi boss
Eben Upton warns against claims that Artificial Intelligence will destroy vast numbers of computing roles over the coming years.
Cerebras pops 68% in Nasdaq debut, pushing the AI chipmaker's market cap to $95 billion
Cerebras is taking advantage of a bull market for silicon, as the chipmaker becomes one of the most notable pureplay AI IPOs to date.
US reportedly dropped fraud charges against Indian billionaire after he hired Trump’s lawyer
Gautam Adani, richest man in Asia, was accused of conspiring to pay $250m in bribes to Indian government officialsThe US Department of Justice is dropping its fraud charges against the Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, the richest man in Asia, after he hired a new legal team led by Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, according to new reports.In an undisclosed April meeting at the justice department, Trump’s personal lawyer, Robert J Giuffra Jr, said that Adani would invest $10bn in the US economy and create 15,000 jobs if prosecutors dropped the charges against him, according to the New York Times and Bloomberg. Continue reading...
The gilt market will hover over any Labour leadership contest | Nils Pratley
The Iran war is the bigger story – but the bond market is primed to deliver a kick if extreme positions arise from a formal raceIt is a mistake to think every twitch in the price of UK government debt is caused by the latest instalment in the great Labour leadership meltdown. Waiting for Wes is not the only drama in town for your average bond vigilante. Resolution – or not – to the Iran conflict is still the bigger story.Those vigilantes will not be ignoring events in Westminster, obviously. It’s just that there is not yet much to chew on in terms of what it means for fixed-income investors’ daily diet of expectations for inflation, interest rates, growth, borrowing and so on. Continue reading...
Energy-hungry datacentres and the environmental cost of e-clutter | Letters
By deleting photos from our phones, we can ease demand for data storage and the huge amount of electricity it uses, writes Gill Davidson, while Robert Harrison suggests the waste heat from datacentres could be repurposedIncreasing energy usage by datacentres is a concerning issue, as is the associated environmental cost (Datacentres using 6% of electricity supply in UK and US, research says, 13 May).Datacentres use up huge and rapidly increasing amounts of electricity, and data storage is responsible for more carbon emissions than the commercial airline industry. This is to say nothing of the contribution to land and water use, e-waste, supply chain issues, refrigerant gas leaks etc. Continue reading...
Woman in bank row over depositing £900 HMRC cheque
Annabel Yates says she faces a 94 mile round trip to bank a cheque because of changes at Lloyds.
Xi tells Musk, Tim Cook and other CEOs on Trump's trip: China will 'open wider'
Tesla and Space X boss Elon Musk, Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang and Apple CEO Tim Cook were part of Trump's delegation.
Trump delights in his deference to Xi, his strongman fantasy made flesh
Chinese leader appears to be in the driving seat as the unusually polite US president ignores questions on TaiwanWhy does Donald Trump look so at home in China?The US president spent day one of his summit in Beijing basking in rigid pageantry, heroically managing not to offend his hosts and offering the verdict: “China is beautiful.” Continue reading...
Cost of living concerns in St Helier Central
The BBC has heard concerns about poverty and cost of living from St Helier Central voters.
‘It’s like stealing’: Palestinian family’s seized property listed on Booking.com
West Bank home described as ‘ideal for outdoor gatherings’ is among 41 listed rentals in illegal Israeli settlements Some of Mohammad al-Sbeih’s fondest childhood memories are of his small farm in the hills south of Bethlehem, where three generations of his family grew wheat and barley.“It was a hard plot to farm as it was on a hillside with terraces, but it was so beautiful,” Sbeih remembers. Continue reading...
Honda makes its first annual loss in 70 years
The firm will now pivot away from scrapping its target for all of its vehicles to be electric by 2040.
Faisal Islam: Six things we now know about the UK economy in charts
The UK economy is showing resilience – it’s worth diving into the data in more detail to understand why.
Rachel Reeves suggests if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – as fight to keep her job goes on
The GDP boost has raised the chancellor’s prospects for staying in post, whoever wins the Labour leadership battleUK economy records surprise 0.3% growth despite Iran warThe message from Rachel Reeves is clear. After Britain’s economy defied the predictions for a slump in March, despite the fallout from the Iran war, why put things at risk with a roll of the dice in domestic politics?Responding to bumper growth of 0.3% in March – much stronger than City economists’ forecasts for a 0.2% contraction – the chancellor said the figures showed she had the right economic plan, in a comment laced with subtext. Continue reading...
The Elon Musk v Sam Altman battle is a distraction | Karen Hao
Fixating on questions of whether Altman is untrustworthy, or whether Musk is even less so distracts from a far deeper problem with AIIf it wasn’t already clear, Elon Musk and Sam Altman hate each other.While the two men were once co-founders of OpenAI, they’re now locked in a vicious feud, playing out in all its theatrics in front of a judge and jury in a California courtroom. Musk is suing, alleging that Altman and OpenAI’s president, Greg Brockman, tricked him into forming and funding the organization as a non-profit before they subsequently restructured it to have a for-profit entity. OpenAI says Musk was well aware of those plans and frames the lawsuit as an attempt to derail a competitor. Continue reading...
Why do we keep building on land at risk of flooding?
A recent study by Aviva found that one in nine new homes in England are being built on land at risk of flooding – often entirely within planning rules. Josh Toussaint-Strauss investigates how the system allows developers to profit while homeowners bear the costCheck your flood riskSign up for flood warningsMake a flood plan Continue reading...
Major police operation targets drug and knife crime
West Midlands Police brings Operation Fearless to Handsworth.
War, inflation and Trump’s tariffs have shaken the US. Why does the stock market keep going up?
Wall Street has proved incredibly resilient to instability, and while consumer confidence has dipped, shares have soaredIt was a dark Friday for Wall Street on 27 March. Oil prices were climbing and the war with Iran raged on. Markets responded accordingly, with the Dow and Nasdaq entering correction territory, falling more than 10% below their peak, after a month of selloffs.Fast forward seven weeks later to 13 May, and the situation in Iran only looked marginally better. Oil prices were high, and the strait of Hormuz was still closed. Peace talks with Iran seemed tenuous, even with the pressures of high gas prices. Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was “not even a little bit” motivated by Americans’ financial situation to end the war. Continue reading...
UK economy sees surprise growth in March despite Iran war
The economy grew by 0.3% in the month, official figures show, confounding analysts' forecasts of a small contraction.
Iran war fallout forces Singapore Airlines-backed Air India to cancel 27% of international flights
Air India, a carrier co-owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, plans to scale back over a quarter of its international flights from June as rising costs bite.
Changes to PIP payments
Finance expert Laura Pomfret explains to PIP payments.
Trump-Xi summit revives China tech rally hopes as U.S. reportedly clears Nvidia H200 sales
Market watchers are betting that the Trump-Xi summit could extend trade truce and lift Chinese equities.
Labour is being destroyed by dithering: it should either do Brexit properly or rejoin the EU | Larry Elliott
The UK has been suffering since going it alone, but Starmer’s noncommittal approach has made things worse. No wonder voters are angryTen years on from the referendum, Brexit still shapes British politics. It has smashed the two-party duopoly and continues to divide the country. Keir Starmer’s struggle to remain prime minister after last week’s drubbing for Labour in elections in England, Scotland and Wales is proof of that.Voters took politicians at their word after the decision was made to leave the EU. The reason “Take back control” worked as a slogan was that it chimed with the public mood in large parts of Britain. Continue reading...
‘There’s a risk of another Liz Truss moment’: City raises spectre of bond market meltdown again
As Keir Starmer’s leadership totters, investors warn a Labour leadership contest ignoring public finances and market realpolitik could be disastrousBusiness live – latest updatesUK economy records surprise 0.3% growth despite Iran warAnalysis: Reeves says ‘if economy ain’t broke, don’t fix it’A rise in borrowing costs and warnings to avoid a “Liz Truss moment”. As Keir Starmer faces a potential leadership challenge, the spectre of the bond market looms large.Amid febrile conditions in Westminster, the prospect of Britain switching prime ministers for a sixth time in seven years has fuelled a sharp sell-off in the market for UK government debt. Continue reading...
HMRC to use AI from British tech firm to spot fraud and tax return errors
Quantexa, a financial data platform, won the £175m contract to spot fraud and tax return errors.
Australian giant Coles misled shoppers with fake discounts, court rules
The decision, which comes amid similar case against Woolworths, could mean significant penalties.
‘A passion, but also a gamble’: why India’s gen Z are cashing in on the trend for secondhand fashion
Faced with rising costs and a lack of jobs, many young Indians are turning an online side hustle into an incomeThe work begins at sunrise, ahead of her first Instagram post. Astha Chhetri starts the day on her phone, combing through supplier lists, checking shipment updates and preparing stock for her online store.The evenings find Chhetri, 26, with her mobile still in hand, photographing and posting reels of clothes for sale and replying to customer messages. Continue reading...
Inside India newsletter: Trump-Xi meeting could test India’s positioning as China counterweight
For more than two decades, consecutive U.S. administrations have seen India as a counterbalance to China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Japan's global defense business may be on the cusp of a big breakout
Can Japan be a major player in the international defense sector, like its neighbor South Korea?
Big tech bets on new mascots in bid to seem more cuddly
The likes of Apple, Microsoft and Google are all putting cartoon characters centre stage.
Warning higher Europe air fares 'inevitable' due to Iran war
Flying by air will get more expensive as oil prices remain high, says international industry body boss.
The Food Chain
How batch cooking can save time, money and food waste
Business Daily
As Trump meets Xi how is the relationship between the world's two biggest economies?
Trump's Fed chair pick Kevin Warsh confirmed by US Senate
Kevin Warsh was confirmed by the narrowest margin since the role required a Senate confirmation vote.
WhatsApp launches totally private 'incognito' conversations with its AI chatbot
A cyber security expert says deleting chat history could lead to a lack of accountability if things go wrong.
Ex-rugby star on the joys of his own burger stall
Ex-England and Leicester Tigers hooker Tom Youngs says the new venture brings families to the farm.
Shrinking Milka chocolate bar tricked consumers, says German court
A court in Bremen has found the manufacturer of the classic Alpine Milk chocolate bar guilty of "shrinkflation".
Tui sees summer sales fall 10% due to cautious UK customers
The travel operator says customers are delaying booking holidays over Iran war concerns.
Why are UK prices rising more quickly?
The war in Iran has pushed UK Inflation further above the Bank of England's 2% target.
‘You have to be where the pollution is’: the inventor hoping to fix your washing machine to stop microplastics
Matter Industries founder Adam Root has developed a filter to trap microfibres at home and on an industrial scale. But is it just a drop in the ocean?The dinky device slots seamlessly into the modest space above my washing machine. A pipe snakes down from it, drawing in wastewater from my clothes washes. At the end of each wash cycle, the machine makes a polite whirring noise: that’s the sound of the groundbreaking bit of technology working, according to its inventor, Adam Root. That invention is a microplastics filter.“The most common thing we hear [from customers] is: ‘I cannot believe how much material is coming out of the washing machine,’” says Root. “Somebody sent me [photos of] dinner-platefuls.” Continue reading...
Elon Musk and Jensen Huang among CEOs joining Trump on China trip
More than a dozen US executives have joined the president on his visit, where he will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
Elon Musk said control of OpenAI should go to his children, Sam Altman tells jury
Sam Altman said Elon Musk tried many times for total control of OpenAI, which he's now suing.
Royal Caribbean ‘unfairly’ charged me over booking for disabled son
We had booked a cruise for him and his carers, but we had a string of problems when we tried to change namesIn November 2024, I booked a cruise for my wife, myself and our severely disabled son for this July. I’d booked well in advance to ensure an accessible cabin for my son. At home, he needs round-the-clock care from a rota of eight carers, so we made extra bookings for three to accompany him.Because the care team has other commitments, I couldn’t confirm their names at the time of booking and was told to do so by this April, when the balance had to be paid. Continue reading...
Not so dusty: How tech is changing woodworking
Woodworking shops have been transformed by tech to make tools safer and more precise.
Ovo energy customers urged not to panic as takeover planned
All existing tariffs will be honoured in full under a planned deal that could create one of Britain's largest energy suppliers.
Can you move your pension to dodge inheritance tax? Fraudsters say so
Criminals exploit confusion or anxiety over new IHT rules by offering a ‘safe haven’ for savings potsThe caller pitches a great deal. Shift the moneysaved in your pension and reinvest it in a scheme overseas where you can avoid it being caught under next year’s changes to the UK’s inheritance tax (IHT) system.From April next year, any money left in a defined contribution pension after your death, which is most workplace and all private pensions, will be pulled into the IHT net. Continue reading...
Haggling prices and chasing debts - tradespeople hit with cost of living headache
More than half of tradespeople have seen an increase of late payments compared to a year ago, a survey finds.
Cyber-crime increasingly coming with threats of physical violence
While hackers used to sneak into computer systems, intimidation of staff is now more common.
How sunburn inspired a new way to store energy
Molecules that can capture heat could be a useful technology to decarbonise heating.
How Sir David Attenborough built 'Green Hollywood'
The city is responsible for 80% of the world's natural history TV shows.
Gulf economies face long-term hit from Iran conflict
Commentators say it will take years or even decades to repair the damage.
Robots move in as waste firms struggle to find staff
Humanoid robots are being added to the automation of waste sorting.
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
Will AI lead to more accurate opinion polls?
It's cheaper and faster to collect people's opinions using AI, but will it make polls more accurate?
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
Sir John Curtice: Why Labour's Brexit focus has shifted from Leavers to Remainers
Will the pursuit of a closer relationship with the EU risk courting electoral disaster by alienating Brexit-backing voters?
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